downbeats

The downbeat is the first beat of a musical measure and is typically the strongest beat in many meters. In simple time signatures such as 4/4 and 3/4, the downbeat establishes the unit of pulse and is commonly emphasized by dynamics, articulation, or a conductor’s cue.

In notation, the downbeat marks the starting point of a measure and provides a reference for counting. Musicians often count "one, two, three, four" in 4/4, with "one" aligning with the downbeat. In compound meters such as 6/8, the primary beat still falls on the first count of the grouping, though there may be strong secondary accents on the other counts. The term contrasts with the upbeat, the note or subdivision that leads into the downbeat, and with the backbeat, the mid-bar emphasis found in some popular music on beats two and four.

In performance, the downbeat serves as an anchor for timing and phrasing. Drummers, bass players, and other rhythm-section instruments typically align their primary accents with the downbeat, while melodies and counterpoints enter on subsequent beats. In many styles, the downbeat also cues entrances for dancers and vocal phrases.